Smart ball and locator system

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a wireless signal transmitting ball to be used in practice or gameplay of a sport and/or other entertainment activities. The ball of the disclosure comprises a microprocessor unit configured to record, process, and transmit data to a paired device. Further disclosed is a method of actuating the ball between different modes. The ball could be used by players during practice to record data about their performance. The ball could also be used by players or game officials or referees to keep score, adjudicate and decide the gameplay. For example, the information about location of the ball could be used to track balls that could potentially be lost. Additionally, data about spin, trajectory, speed, force applied and the like could be used by players or broadcasters for gaining insights to add to viewing pleasure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports ball, comprising:
 an outer layer including a plurality of dimples;   an inner core made of a material including a silicone rubber and a ceramic powder; and   a central core overlapping a centroid of the ball, said central core including a metallic material.   
     
     
         2 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of silicone rubber to ceramic powder is in the range 25 to 65 percent silicone rubber to 75 to 35 percent ceramic powder by mass, respectively. 
     
     
         3 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of silicone rubber to ceramic powder is approximately 60:40. 
     
     
         4 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic powder includes zirconium. 
     
     
         5 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic powder includes sodium or a compound thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic powder includes a sodium silicate borate. 
     
     
         7 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic powder includes calcium. 
     
     
         8 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein more than 50 percent by mass of the inner core is composed of sodium silicate borate. 
     
     
         9 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein less than 50 percent by mass of the inner core is composed of a silicone rubber. 
     
     
         10 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein said central core has an internal volume that is less than 30 percent of the total volume of the ball. 
     
     
         11 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein said central core has an internal volume that is less than 15 percent of the total volume of the ball. 
     
     
         12 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein said inner core includes a plurality of distinct layers of different materials. 
     
     
         13 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein said central core includes a power source, a movement sensor, and a radio transceiver. 
     
     
         14 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein the ball is a golf ball. 
     
     
         15 . The sports ball of  claim 1 , wherein the ball is a hockey ball. 
     
     
         16 . A virtual reality system for interactively simulating a game of golf, comprising:
 a smart golf ball including a power source, at least one sensor, and a radio transceiver; and   a headset including a visual display, a microprocessor, and a radio transceiver, said microprocessor being configured to display a simulated environment and receive sensor data from said smart golf ball communicated through the respective radio transceivers of said smart golf ball and said headset.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said microprocessor is configured to calculate a virtual trajectory and virtual landing area of the ball after a user hits the ball, the calculation being carried out using impact data received from the ball by radio communication from the ball after the ball is impacted. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said microprocessor is configured to track live scores as a game is played. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said radio transceiver is configured for a peer-to-peer communications standard. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said radio transceiver is configured for a Bluetooth communications standard.